Combination table and bed



T. B. DR'APER. COMBINATION TABLE AND .BED; APPLICATION HLED OCT. 24, I918.'

7 1,375,449. Patented Apr. 19,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- 1 1 4 [J Y INVE/VTOR .1 y flames ,Ei/flfl?! E (if Z? 2 35 By ATTORNEYS T. B. DRAPER. COMBINATION TABLE AND 850.

7 APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, I918- L375,4490 4 3 SYHEETSQSHEET 2.

1 12' 9. 5. l [a I INVENTOR fiairzezsjfii'a aefi ATTORNEY v Patented Apr. 19, 1921'.

T.'B. DRAPERQ COMBINATION TABLE AND BED.

' APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24,1918. 1,375A49.

v Patented AprL19, 1921;,

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- A TTORNEV THQMAS B. DRAPER, F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINATTON TABLE AND BED.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 2 4, 1918. Serial No. 259,517.

object of this invention to provide an article of furniture which will perform the double function of providing a table of artistic appearance under normal conditions and thereafter being capable. of conversion to produce a full-sized bed of dimensions suitable for accommodating two persons, said bed and table being both rigid in their construction and not intimating in any way their convertible nature when in any position, and

further providing improvements over the structure shown in my co-pending application, entitled Combination table and bed, filed October 22, 1917 and. bearing the Serial Number 197,776.

It is another object of this invention to provide a structure as above specified, within which a complete set of springs, mattress and bed clothing may be folded and which will be automatically unfolded as the bed is made, said mattress being detachably secured to the frame of the bed springs and thus being held in proper shape at all times.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a View in plan as seen on the line 11 of Fig. 2 and as particularly disclosing the disposition of the bed springs when folded within the table.

Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section as seen on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, further disclosing the folded position of the springs, mattress and bed clothing within the table.

Figs. 3 and 4: are fragmentary views in elevation, illustrating the articulate construction of the spring frames.

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section, showing the manner in which the spring frame is supported within the bed and the manner in which the helical tension springs are supported.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective, illustrating the detachable connection between themattress and the spring frame.

Fig. 7 is a view in section and elevation,

disclosing the bed as folded within the table and particularly illustrating the relation of the head, foot and springs to the table when folded.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in end elevation showing the folded table.

Fig. 9 is a View in perspective, disclosing the latch for the spring frame.

Fig. 10 is a View in side elevation showing the completely made bed.

Fig. 11 is a view in side elevation showing the bed with parts broken away to more clearly disclose the manner in which the opposite ends of the spring frame are supported.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, .10 indicates a table top shown as formed in one piece and being provided with aprons 11, 12 and 13. The apron 11 is constructed to give the appearance of a drawer and is therefore provided with knobs let. These knobs. extend outwardly, having spherical faces which form casters, as particularly shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

The structure comprising the end apron 11' and the two side aprons 12 and 13 is rigidly connected with a set of table legs 15. These legs extend vertically at the opposite ends of the apron 11 and are connected by hinges 16 to cross-rails 17.

The aprons l2 and 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, do not extend the entire length of the table top but terminate substantially at the center thereof. From this point complementary apron members 18 and 19 are provided to complete the sides of the table. A front apron 20 is united with these last named side aprons and corresponds to the opposite apron 11. This board is also fitted with the knobs 14, which give it the ap pearance of a false drawer. The structure thus formed extends beneath the overlap-v ping table top and is supported upon legs 21, one of which'is fixed at each end of the board 20. These legs are united with hinges 16 to the opposite ends of the cross-rails 17. Thus it will be seen that the pairs of legs 15 and 21 may swing outwardly and down wardly. from the cross-rails 17 by reason of their hinges 16 and may thereafter assume positions in horizontal alinement, as shown in Fig. 10. To facilitate in this operation,

Patented Apr. is, 1 921.

specially formed casters 22 are provided.

These casters are fixed to the lower ends of i the several legs and havearins extending outwardly parallel to each other and to support rollers, the circumferential faces of which will at all times be. outside of the opposite outer cornersof the legs, thus pro na-lly of the table by means of a bookshelf structure upon which the springs of the bed 23. posing faces of the railsand thus holds them rigidly together. Extending upwardly from each of the cross-rails 17 and spaced in relation to each other, are a pair of posts 25 and 26. These posts are rigidly connected at their upper ends by lattice work which not only proves ornamental but secures them in fixed relation to each other and provides a rigid support for a spring cross-frame member 27 directly supported by the posts. The posts 25 and 26 atthe opposite ends of the table are also connected by rails 28. This will form a stable submay be mounted. Each end of the table is fitted with one of the spring cross-frame members which has preferably been constructed of angle-iron, bent as shown in Fig.7. These members extend upwardly from the center of the table and terminate at points slightly within the inclosure made by the aprons 11 and 20. Frame sections 29 and 30 are pivotally secured by pins 31 tothe opposite ends of the members 27. These sections are again Securedby pins 32 to the outer ends of'end spring frame sections and 34. The sections 29 and 33 are adapted to form the head of the bed while the longer sections 34 and the section 30 form the foot of the bed. These four sections unite with the rigid central sections 27 to providea complete bed structure. The free ends of the sections 33 and 34 are rigidly connected by cross-frame members 35 and 36 respectively. These two cross-rails stand in horizontal alinement when the springs are unfolded and due to the inclination of the various sections from the center of the rigid frame members 27, it will be seen that the side rails of the bed will be lower than the end rails and therefore will insure that the center of the springs will be higher than the sides so thatweight disposed upon the springs will bring them to a level transversely.

This shelf is secured between the opare folded, extends beneath the overlapping 7 end of the frame members'3l. When the bed is unfolded, the head board will extend outwardly and will rest upon supporting j stops'38, carried on the under-face of the table top which will at that time constitute the head of the bed. The support for the opposite end of the spring frames consists of extension boards 39 secured upon the inner faces of theside aprons 18 and 19 and normally overlapping the inner faces of the aprons 12 and 13, as shown in Fig.1. These members carry brackets 40 upon which guide pins 11 are lined. The guide pins extend inwardly through longitudinal slots i2 formed through the sides of the frame Iinembers 34 and adjacent the outer ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 11. When the bed is formed, these pins support this partzof the frame and conclude the bed structure. Referrlng particularly to Figs. 3 and e,

it will be seenthat the various frame sec- 1 tions of the springs are'arranged in abutting relation to each other and that they are connected by side links 43 which are riveted to the pivot pins of the frame. This construction will insure that the side rails will be as one continuous piece and when unfolded will assume a rigid longitudinal alined position in relatlonto each other. The end rails 35 and 36 ofthe frame are formed with a series of slots 45 which are distributed throughout their length and are provided to receive fastening members 46. These members may be turned to pass through the slots and thereafter adjusted to become locked thereover'. These fasteners are secured to end strips 17 incorporated within the construction of a: mattress 418. By means ofdthe fasteners as distributed along the opposite ends of the mattress, this member may be held in proper relation to the spring frame irrespective of whether it is folded or unfolded. The construction is especially convenient during the folding of the springs it insures that the ends of the mattress will lie in their proper position after the table top-has concealed them.

As a means for binding the mattress and bed clothing within the springs and insuring that they will be held compactly to permit folding of the table, a series of strapping links are provided. This structure comprises links 49 pivotally secured to the opposite end rails of the springs and distributed there along as shown in Fig. 1. Each of these links is pivotally connected to an angle link 50 which in turn is rigidly secured to rock bars 51. These last named bars are pivoted between the posts 25 and 2(5 of the sub-frame structure. The angle members 50 are formed so that they will properly circumscribe the under-face and outer sides of the folding mattress, as shown in Fig. 2. The links 49 will thereafter extend over the free ends of the springs and mattress and willcooperate with the members 50 to bind the mattress and bed clothing in proper condition to allow the table top to fold down. Lifting of the head por tion of the bed is. assisted by tension springs 52 which extend from points 31 upon the rigid frame members 27 to the outer edge of the table top. These springs also will cushion the downward, movement of the top and act to. counterbalance its weight so that the members will not fall upon the floor. The spring 52 passes over an idler roller 53 which permits it to move freely and to contract and expand as desired. The opposite end of this springis fastened at a point upon the frame member 34 and will thus act to hold this frame member in its closed position when folded and to assist in holding it rigidly in its open position when unfolded. When the springs are folded, they are fastened together by means of a wire loop 54 which is pivoted to one of the end rails of the frame and extends through a second loop 55, clearly shown in Fig. 9.

Normally the upper portion of the table is disposed, as shown in Fig. 8 and has the appearance of being a solid top table having drawers on the opposite sides thereof with a rack beneath for receiving books and magazines. Nhen it is desired to convert the table for use as a bed, the table top is grasped along the side above the apron 20 and is swung upwardly and away therefrom. This swinging action is accommodated by the hinges 16, which will permit the lower ends of the legs 15 to swing under the transverse bars 17 and to assume the position shown in Figs. 10 and 11. hen the knobs 14 rest upon the floor, the table leg will be horizontal and supported upon the rollers of the casters 22 and the face of the knobs. In this position, the table top will stand perpendicularly and the side aprons 12 and 13 will act to form part of a bed head. The legs 22 may then be swung downwardly into a horizontally alined position in relation to the legs 15 and will thus lower the transverse braces 17 to rest directly upon the upper faces of the legs. This, of course, will drop the entire center of the table and will cause the spring frame members 27 to be disposed at a proper bed height. During the downwardly swinging movement of the legs 21, the frame portions 34 will'be swung outwardly and downwardly, as drawn by the pins 41. These pins will pass along the slots 42 and will thus support the foot portion of the springs in their unfolded positions. The upper end substantially horizontal position, 'as shown in- Figs. '10 and 1-1 and if bed clothing hasbeen previously placed upon-the mattress,

the entire outfit will be in condition for use. in the event that it is desired to remove the mattress or reverse it, the catch-members 46 may be released from the ends'of the spring frame through the slots 45 and the mattress manipulated as desired. The bed.

may be closed by 'a reversalof the previously described operation and will then serve all the purposes of a substantial table.

It will thus be seen that the bed structure here disclosed, while simple and substantial in its construction, provides desirable means for utilizing an article of furniture as a bed or table and in either case causing the article to appear substantial and sightly.

While I have shown thepreferred form of my invention, it will be understood that various changes in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spiritof the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is y 1. An article of furniture having. a top, legs, one of which is disposed beneath each of the corners of the top and to one set of which the top is fixed, crossbraces to which the legs are pivotally secured, an articulately constructed spring frame supported from and above said cross-braces directly beneath the table top and normally concealed by the table top and means whereby the legs may be swung outwardly and downwardly to completely expose the springs and 0 lower them to the height of an ordinary 2. An article of furniture having a top, legs, one of which is dlsposed beneath each of the corners of the top and to one set of Whichthe top is fixed to form a head board when unfolded, cross-braces to the ends of which the legs are pivot-ally secured, an articulately constructed. spring frame supported by said cross-braces and-normally folded beneath and concealed by the table top and means whereby the legs may be swung outwardly and downwardly to completely expose the springs and to lower them to a bed height, and means whereby the springs may be unfolded to extend in .a substantially horizontal plane.

8. An article of furniture having a top, legs, one of which is disposed beneath each of the corners of the top and to one set of which the top is .lixed,v a center structure at the bottom of which the legs are pivotally secured, an articulately constructed spring frame supported on top of the center structure and normally concealed by the table top, means whereby the legs may be swung outwardly and downwardly to completely expose the bed springs and to lower them to a bed height and springs secured to the center section and the opposite ends ofthe spring-frame for facllitating in the movement of said legs.

4. In a table, pairs (of legs, braces having their opposite ends hinged to said legs, a

a a table top secured to one set of legs and norstructure, means whereby the sets of legs may be swung outwardly and downwardly in opposite directions simultaneous with the swinging ofthe table top to form the head and foot of a bed, meanscarried by said oppositely swinging portions for supporting the head and foot of the bed springs and means for counterbalancing the weight of the swinging members during their operation. a,

5. An article of furniture having a hd'rizontal plane top, legs disposed under the four corners thereof,two of which are secured to said top, cross-braces extending horizontally from each of the legs connected with the top and connecting at their opposite ends with theother legs, means whereby said legsmay be swung outwardly and downwardly to form a bed structure, roller means carried by the legs adapted to provide constant supports therefor throughout their range of movement, and knobs carried by theopposite sides of the swinging structures adapted to form supporting feet therefor when they have been swung to their lowermost positions. I y 6. An article of furniture comprising a set of legs adapted to support a table top, a pair of cross-braces one of which is dis posed between each pair of legs near the lower ends thereof, a bed spring frame dis posed above said braces and supported thereby, said frame having side rails which slightly incline upwardly from their longitudinal center, hinge connecting means between the ends of said cross-braces and legs whereby the legs are permitted to be swung outwardly and downwardly to form a support for the spring frame and means supporting said legs when unfolded so that each leg will be disposed substantially par allel with the corresponding inclined section of the side rails whereby a uniform bed structure is had when unfolded.

7. An article of furniture comprising a top portion, sets of legs, one set of which is permanently secured to said top portion, a central brace structure hinged at its oppositeside to the legs of said set, a foldable bed-frame normallyconcealed by the table topand permanently secured at the 'top of the said brace structure, and means-connectingthe lower end of said bed-frame with one set of legs whereby downward and outward swinginglmovement of the legs will cause the bed-frame to be drawn outwardly to assume thehorizontal position.

j- 8. An article of furniture having a top, PEUISOf legs, one pairof winch 1s perma-' nentlysecured to the top and the other pair upon which the top is adapted to rest, panswung outwardly-to their unfolded position. 7

9. In a table sets of legs, cross panels securing the legs of each set'in fixed relation. to each other, side frame members fixed to the legsand adapted to normally stand in horizontal alinement and abutting each other, a crossframe structure normally disposed between the legs and to which they are pivoted, a table top fixed to one set of legs and adapted to rest upon the other set of legs when the table is" folded, a foldable bed-spring frame carried by the cross-supports to be normally fo'ldedand concealed beneath the table top and by'the panels and V side-frame members, and means connecting one end of said bed-frame with the side panels of one set of legs whereby the outward and downward swinging of said legs will cause one end of the bed-frame to be automatically unfolded.

10. An article of furniture comprising a central brace section, a pair of legs hinged to the opposite sides ofsaid brace section and normally standing parallel and vertical, side panels connecting the legs of each pair and panels carried by the legs and adapted to abut against each other when in horizontal position, a table top carried by one set of legs and adapted to be partially supported upon the other set, a central brace structure to the lower end of which the legs are hinged, the upper end of said structure projecting into the compartment formed by the side and end panels, a jointed sectional bed-frame carried by said supporting structure and normally folded to assume a rectangular position, beneath the table-top and concealed by the surrounding panels, and means whereby the tabletop and one set of legs may be swung in one direction and the other set of legs in-the other to conceal and unfold the bed frame and to permit the opposite ends of said frame to be supported in a horizontal plane whereby a bed will be formed 11. An article of furniture comprising a central brace section, a pair of legs hinged to the opposite sides of said brace section and normally standing parallel and vertical, side panels connecting the legs of each pair, end panels carried by the legs and adapted to abut against each other when in horizontal position, a table top carried by one set of legs and adapted to be partially supported upon the other set, a central brace structure to the lower end of which the legs are hinged, the upper end of said structure projecting into the compartment formed by the side and end panels, a jointed sectional bed frame carried by said supporting structure and normally folded to assume a rectangular position beneath the table top and concealed by the surrounding panels and means whereby the table top and one set of legs may be swung in one direction and the other set of legs in the other to conceal and unfold the bed-frame and to permit the opposite ends of said frame to be supported in a horizontal plane, whereby a bed'will be formed, and spring members secured by their one end to the supporting structure and by their other ends to the jointed secticnsof the bed-frame whereby they will facilitate in closing said frame.

12. In a device of the character described, a sectional and foldable bed spring supporting frame, a central support therefor and means for binding the sections and springs in their folded positions simultaneously wit the folding thereof.

13. An article of furniture comprising a set of legs adapted to support a table top, a pair of cross-braces one of which is disposed between each pair of legs near the lower ends thereof, and hinge connections between the ends of said braces and legs, a foldable bed frame disposed above the crossbraces and supported thereby, said bed frame comprising two end sections and an intermediate section, said sections when unfolded extending slightly upwardly from the longitudinal center of the intermediate section and said legs being adapted to be swung outwardly and downwardly in position for supporting said bed frame when unfolded and means for supporting the ends of said legs so that each leg will be substantially in parallelism with the corresponding section of the bed frame.

A. An article of furniture comprising separable leg units, each consisting of a pair of legs permanently secured together by cross-panels and provided with parallel end panels, the end-panels of each set of legs being adapted to abut against each other when in their folded position, a table top secured to one set of legs with its panels and adapted to rest upon the opposite set of" legs with its panels, a brace structure, the

upper end of which projects into the com-= partment formed by the panels, at the lower end of which terminates a short distance from the floor line where it is hinged to each of the legs and casters secured upon the legs and adapted to cxtend outwardly beyond.

the vertical side faces of said legs, whereby the lower ends of the legs will be supported above the floor line at all times during;

the swinging of the section.

15. In a device of the character described. a supporting structure, a bedeframe section. fixed to the top of said structure, a pair of short bed-frame sections hinged at the oppo-:.

site ends of'said central section, a pair of end sections hinged at the other ends of said short sections and adapted to be folded over into parallel relation with the first named drawn around the frameand thus hold, the

springs and bed clothing carried thereby in a compact manner. V 7

16. In a device of the character described a sectional and foldable bed spring supporting frame and a central support therefor, and foldable links connected between each end of the foldable spring frame and the central support, whereby the springs and frame sections'are bound into their folded position simultaneously with the folding thereof.

17. In foldable furniture of the class described, a sectional bed spring supporting frame comprising a central section and two sections beyond each end of the central sec tion, said sections being foldable into a form rectangular in crosssection, a support for the central section and foldable links connected between each end of the foldable spring frame and the central support, whereby the springs and frame sections are bound into their folded positions simultaneously with the folding thereof.

18. In foldable furniture of the class de scribed, a sectional bed spring supporting frame comprising a central section and two sections beyond each end of the central section, said sections being foldable into a form rectangular in cross-section, a support for the central section and foldable links connected between each end of the foldable spring frame and the central support, whereby the springs andframe sections are bound into their folded positions simultaneously with the folding thereof, a U-shaped member having its legs rigidly secured to the forward end of one end section, and a therbind the foldable links about the comprisinga central section and two secsecond U-shaped memberhaving its legs pivotally secured to the end of the other end frame section, said U-shaped member being adapted to lock said bed spring and frame in folded position, and also adapted to draw the two end sections of the frame.

members toward each other and thus furbed spring and frame sections.

19. In a device of the character described,

a sectional bed spring supporting frame comprising a central section and two sections beyond each-end of the central section, said sections being foldable into a frame rectangular in cross-section, a support for the central section and means between each outer end section and the support for the central section, whereby the springs and sections will be bound together simulta-' neously withtheir folding, said means between each end frame section and support 7 comprising a pair of links having one of their ends pivotally secured to each other, and their opposite ends pi-votallyconnected to the end frame section and support.

20. In a device ofthe character described, a [sectional bed spring supporting frame tions beyond each end of the central section, said sectlons being foldablelnto a frame rectangular in cross-section, a support for the central section and means between each to the end frame section and support, and a the lowermost of said links belng angular in shape, so that when the links are brought to their binding position, said lowermost link will serve as a binder for the lower side of the folded frames and its verticalside, and said upper links forming the binder for the upper side of the folded sectional frame and springs.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses. 7. V V

THOMAS E. DRAPER. Witnesses: V

JOHN H. HERRING,

W, W. HEALEY. 

